At the recent New Year’s Eve wedding of Gage and Summer Donovan, there was a furry star stealing the show – their beloved pet cat, Nala Donovan. The 6-year-old American shorthair cat was not just a guest at the wedding, but an integral part of the couple’s special day, from being carried down the aisle to wearing a special garter. The bride, Summer, raved about Nala’s presence, describing her as “the absolute star” of the day.
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The Donovans tied the knot on December 31, 2024, in Brainerd, Minnesota, and Nala’s involvement in the wedding festivities was a no-brainer for the couple. Summer shared that it took some coordination, but with the help of their favourite people, they were able to include Nala in their celebrations. From spending the night before the wedding with the bridal party to getting ready with the ladies on the day of the ceremony, Nala was fully immersed in the wedding preparations.
Dressed up for the occasion, Nala even wore the same garter that Summer’s mother had worn on her wedding day. The couple made sure that Nala was included in the wedding photos because, as Summer mentioned, she is part of the family. As vendors arrived at the venue, Nala greeted each one enthusiastically, truly becoming the centre of attention.
During the ceremony, as the wedding party made their entrance down the aisle, Nala was not left behind. The junior bridesmaid, Brielle, took on the responsibility of carrying Nala delicately down the aisle. Despite some people finding it unusual to have a cat at a wedding, the Donovans’ guests were not surprised at all, as they know Nala well and are aware that she accompanies the couple everywhere.
As Summer and Gage exchanged their vows, Nala sat among the guests, transferred to Summer’s godmother Holly for the ceremony. Although Nala didn’t attend the reception, she was incorporated into the party in a fun way – with guests holding large cardboard cutouts of Nala’s head as they hit the dance floor. For Summer, having Nala at her wedding was a way of honouring the cat that had been a pillar of support during some tough times in her life.
Summer shared that growing up, she had many cats in her household, and when she moved away for college without a cat, it was a challenging time for her. Fostering cats through a local humane society became a form of therapy for her, leading to the adoption of Nala as an emotional support cat. Nala not only got Summer through difficult times but continues to be an essential part of her life and now her husband Gage’s life too.
Now, with a new addition to their family, a 9-month-old golden retriever named Winnie, Nala has taken on the role of a loving big sister. The Donovans’ wedding was undoubtedly a memorable and heartwarming celebration, made even more special by the presence of their cherished feline friend, Nala, who truly shone as the star of the day.